In addition to Reus, the other German midfielder to miss Euro 2016 is Ilkay Gundogan. Manchester City's new signing from Borussia Dortmund sustained a major knee injury in May.

- Hosts France may lack Benzema

Real Madrid star Karim Benzema was not called upon by France manager Didier Deschamps as he was charged with "participation in a criminal association" and "conspiracy to blackmail" after he appeared before an investigating magistrate near Paris in early November, local media reported.

Benzema, 28, had been held in police custody over an alleged plot to blackmail fellow France international Mathieu Valbuena with a sex tape, sports newspaper L’Equipe reported.

Karim Benzema scored 28 goals in 36 matches for Real Madrid last season; he is regarded as one of the team's integral parts in offense.

Olympique Lyon striker Alexandre Lacazette was not chosen for Les Bleus even though he scored 23 goals in 44 appearances for Lyon last season.

England has been cursed by injuries to their many of their important players such as Arsenal striker Danny Welbeck and winger Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Manchester City midfielder Fabian Delph and Manchester United left-back Luke Shaw.

In addition Belgium's center back and team skipper Vincent Kompany will miss the tournament as he has sustained a groin injury.

Manager Marc Wilmots will have to shape the Belgian defense without him in France.

- The tournament's format changed

Euro 2016's format has been changed; group leaders and runners-up will go through to the next round but the best third-placed four teams will be in Round of 16 as well. The four teams will pair with group leaders.

It is the first time that 24 teams will play in the tournament. In the past this figure was 16.

France automatically qualified for the finals as they are the hosts. The rest came from European qualifiers. There are six groups in total and each group has four teams.

After the group stage, round of 16, quarter-finals, semis and final will be played.

The final match will be held at Stade de France in Saint-Denis on Sunday, July 10.